Flavio Bolsonaro leads President Lula as Brazilian election enters runoff

Right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro finished ahead of incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the first round of Brazil's presidential election on Sunday. The Journal, Sky News, Al Jazeera, RTE, DW, and FTMQ News all reported that neither candidate reached the 50 percent majority needed to win outright, forcing the race into a runoff scheduled for October 25. [1][2][3][5][6][15]

According to The Journal and FTMQ News, Flavio Bolsonaro received 47 percent of the vote compared to 45 percent for Lula da Silva. The Journal noted that the result contradicted opinion poll projections that had placed the incumbent in the lead. The electoral court confirmed the second round after neither candidate secured a majority, DW and Sky News reported. [1][2][6][15]

Flavio Bolsonaro was a little-known senator until his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, named him his political heir, according to The Journal and RTE. His father served as the 38th president of Brazil from 2019 to 2023. Lula da Silva, a former union leader who previously served as president from 2003 to 2011, returned to the presidency in 2023. [1][5][11][12]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, both candidates concluded their campaigns in Sao Paulo state, which accounts for one-fifth of Brazil's total votes. The Journal reported that the election results also brought substantial parliamentary victories for right-wing parties, creating a major setback for Lula da Silva ahead of the runoff. [1][16]